The following statement was issued by Northwest Territories leaders from the Government of the Northwest Territories, Indigenous governments, community governments, and all Chambers of Commerce in the territory on the one-year anniversary of the global COVID-19 pandemic:

When the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, it was uncertain exactly what was to follow. Within days, the people of the world were at a standstill – and were faced with one of the biggest, and most unique challenges of their lives. In the past year, 116 million people worldwide have contracted the virus, and 2.6 million people have lost their lives to COVID-19. Our hearts are with those who have passed away, and the families, friends, and loved ones they left behind. The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened our health, impacted our economic well-being, and disconnected us from the support networks we rely on most in our lives, and put to test our mental health as we tried our best to navigate the unchartered waters of a modern-day pandemic. It put to test the resiliency of Northerners.

And one year later, we are beginning to see past the pandemic to our social and economic recovery. Our collective success is a result of the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication of so many. The partnership and collaborative spirit between federal, territorial, Indigenous, and community leaders exemplifies the strength and resilience that underpins what the Northwest Territories is built on. As a result of relationship building, partnerships and advocacy by Dene, Métis, and Inuvialuit we were able to uphold our traditions through funding for people to return to the land, for monitoring of our borders and  access to traditional foods and resources to support our peoples.

From the early days of the pandemic, Northwest Territories essential workers have been at the forefront of our response, working day and night and spending countless hours away from their families and loved ones to keep us safe, while putting themselves at risk. You make us proud.

They are our health care professionals who have kept our communities safe. In this challenging time, you have put the residents of the Northwest Territories ahead of yourselves. Your courage, dedication, strength and selflessness have not gone unnoticed. The children and youth of the Northwest Territories are our future, and we are grateful for the ingenuity, passion, and strength of our educators who have adapted to give them tools they need to be successful.

They are the grocery store workers who continued to stock shelves and ring our groceries through at checkout. They are transportation workers who move people and goods where they need to go. They are the municipal service workers who continue to pump sewage and deliver water to homes across the territory. They are the first responders who work round the clock to keep our communities safe. They are the shelter workers who take care of our most vulnerable residents. They are the women, parents, and caregivers who provided support for our children as the result of daycare and school closures, and the needed care for NWT elders.  They are the postal workers who continue to deliver the mail. They are the custodians and cleaning staff who work hard to keep public and community areas clean. They are maintenance workers who keep the heat, lights and water on in our homes. They are the resilient business owners who have used innovation and creativity to continue to serve residents and keeping communities safe and stocked.

They are you, the residents. You have made so many sacrifices over the last year to protect yourselves, your loved ones, and your communities. We know this has not been easy, but we are forever grateful for the collective efforts of residents to support the efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the Northwest Territories. 

If there is one thing that we have all learned in the last year is that despite the challenges of the pandemic, we can succeed in the most difficult circumstances if we work together.

Thank you, NWT residents.

Premier Caroline Cochrane, Government of the Northwest Territories

Chair Duane Ningaqsiq Smith, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation

President Garry Bailey, Northwest Territory Métis Nation

Grand Chief Gladys Norwegian, Dehcho First Nations

Ɂekw’ahtı̨dǝ́ Leeroy Andre, Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government

Chair Charles McNeeley, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated

Grand Chief George Mackenzie, Tłı̨chǫ Government

Grand Chief Ken Smith, Gwich’in Tribal Council

National Chief Norman Yakeleya, Dene Nation

Chiefs, Akaitcho Territory Government

Chief April Martel, Kátł’odeeche First Nation

Chief David Poitras, Salt River First Nation

Chief Eugene Hope, Acho Dene Koe First Nation

President Bill Enge, North Slave Métis Alliance

Lynn Napier, President, Northwest Territories Association of Communities

Jenni Bruce, President, Northwest Territories Chamber of Commerce

Tim Syer, President of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce